Solar panel technology has enabled thousands of homeowners across the UK to generate their own electricity. These aren’t just limited to domestic customers though, as business owners can also take advantage of this modern and energy efficient technology. If you want to lower your commercial energy bills and reduce your impact on the environment, read our guide on why you should make the switch to solar panels for your business.
If you’re a business owner and your premises can accommodate a solar panel and energy storage system, this could be a wise investment. Combine this with a cheap business electricity tariff by comparing commercial energy suppliers through Utility Saving Expert, and you could be saving thousands of pounds every year.
Solar panel installations on non-domestic buildings generally refer to larger solar arrays, these include industrial warehouses, schools, hospitals and manufacturing plants. This technology is more suited for small and medium sized businesses (SMEs). The size will be in accordance with your business’ needs to get a good return on investment.
Why use solar panels to deliver your business electricity?
Solar panel technology is a worthwhile investment if your business is looking to reduce electricity costs, become less reliant on ever-increasing energy rates and lower your overall carbon footprint. The more energy your business consumes on a daily basis, the more you’ll benefit from a solar power installation.
Any electricity that you generate through solar panels is effectively free energy. It’s not very often you hear the word ‘free’ for anything worthwhile in this day and age. Every kWh of generated electricity means you won’t have to pay your supplier for this. By doing so, you will become less reliant on the energy grid and won’t be as negatively impacted by ever increasing energy prices. This can help your company make it easier to budget for the short and medium term.
One of the main reasons for increasing energy costs for both home and business energy customers is because fossil fuels are becoming harder to source. This has meant that many energy suppliers have taken the initiative to invest a significant amount of money in renewable energy production.
In comparison to domestic customers, businesses can make use of the electricity they generate straight away as they will be mostly operating during the day. This can help them use this modern technology in a more efficient manner. Alternatively, if your firm does primarily operate during the late hours, this energy can still be used. To do this, you’ll need to install a solar storage system. This does what the name applies, stores generated electricity for use at a later time.
Lower your business’ overall carbon footprint
By now you have likely already taken a number of smaller steps to ‘go green’. This could be cutting down on paper waste and encouraging employees to recycle. Many organisations have even gone one step further and made the switch to a renewable energy tariff, as this is a great way to reduce your carbon emissions and help fight climate change.
Using solar panel technology and taking steps towards becoming 100% sustainable shows that your business is environmentally aware, this can help you boost revenues through the positive public image that it brings. Customers are more socially conscious than ever before, and are interested in companies that prioritise social responsibility through sustainable efforts.
How much will it cost for my business to install solar panels?
This will ultimately depend on the size of your business and how complex the installation process will be. The more panels you purchase, the higher the cost. It’s hard to provide an exact answer but on average, a small to medium sized business will require a system that can output five to nine kW, roughly costing between £10,000 to £15,000. A larger commercial installation will cover a much bigger surface area and will likely need a 25kW to 200kW system.
You don’t have to pay for this in full straight away, as many providers will offer finance options. However, if you do want to spread out these payments, it may be worth considering a personal loan as these will usually be offered with a much lower interest rate.
If you have decided that solar panels are the right move for your business, we highly recommend getting quotes from multiple companies. Not only should you compare the price, but look at other factors such as customer service, brand reputation and how many years warranty will be included. If you’re still unsure, ask as many questions as possible to ensure you’re getting a product that is perfectly suitable for your premises.
Hopefully, this guide has given you a helpful look at why your business should consider installing solar panel technology. Although the initial cost can be high for some companies, the amount you’re likely to save over a longer period of time is worthy of attention.
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